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HS HOOPS: Plea deal could be in works for jailed Chatsworth girls’ coach

Attorneys for both sides are working on a plea bargain in the case of Andre LaBeach, a Chatsworth High girls junior-varsity basketball coach jailed since April 1 on four felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor at least three years younger.

LaBeach, 22, has pled not guilty and is being held on $80,000 bail. He is facing up to five years in state prison and/or a possible fine, according to a court official.

The alleged victims name is being withheld because of the nature of the charges.

During a brief court appearance Tuesday before Judge Leland B. Harper in Van Nuys to set a preliminary hearing, LaBeach had the support of about a dozen family members and friends.

Its always nice to have that kind of community support. Hopefully, it will work out for him, said defense attorney Meredith Schensul, a public defender.

Deputy District Attorney Alisanne Scolnik said: We are in resolution status maybe. Weve ordered a preliminary probation report which will assist in determining (a plea bargain).

Scolnik said it wasnt appropriate to comment further.

The case was continued until May 14, at which time a deal could be finalized, according to both sides. Schensul said LaBeach has no prior criminal record.

Hes a good kid. So far hes handling it OK, she said.

Dressed in a jail-issued blue uniform, LaBeach, unshaven, appeared nervous but relieved to see his supporters. At one point, he was reprimanded by the judge for turning his back to make eye contact with a woman who gave him a thumbs up, and LaBeach apologized.

Prior to working at Chatsworth as a walk-on coach and campus aide, LaBeach played basketball at Cleveland High in Reseda. He has coached Chatsworths girls JV team for at least two seasons, and he also has coached a summer travel team.

According to a source, LaBeach was attending college before taking a break this past semester. It is unclear whether LaBeach was working toward earning his teaching credential.

A conviction could prevent LaBeach from becoming a certified teacher, according to prominent Encino attorney Andrew Flier, who is not involved in the case.

I do a lot of these cases, and it sounds like a probationary sentence could be worked out if he has no criminal record and no force was used, Flier said. The real issue is, as soon as he pleads guilty, there goes his teaching credential, and that could be a huge issue.

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